MOI ELYOUNOUSSI says he was hurt by questions raised over his professionalism and his commitment to Celtic after being shown checking his phone during his side’s loss to Sparta Prague on Thursday night.
The Norwegian hit back at his critics in fine style with a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park, and he says it was the perfect way to put the incident behind him and underline his dedication to Neil Lennon and his teammates.
“That’s finished, that’s behind me,” Elyounoussi said.
“What I can do is talk with my feet and that’s what I did today. That’s the best way to react.
“I read a comment that it was stupid of me, and it was a big misunderstanding.
“What I have to say is that no one should question my professionalism, my commitment to the team. I am very professional and, like I said, the best way to talk is with my feet.
“I was [fired up]. I’m here to help the team score goals and win games. So in the end, of course, I was frustrated and disappointed that someone questioned my professionalism and commitment.
“I am very committed – and I am happy to help the team win today.
“Anyone who knows me realises I am very professional, I give 100 per cent for my team and I am very committed on the pitch.
“Not only offensively, defensively as well. So, I don’t think someone should question my professionalism on the pitch.
“That’s in the past, I just focus on the next one ahead. We’re happy we’ve got the three points today.”
His manager, Neil Lennon, says that he for one never questioned Elyounoussi’s commitment to Celtic’s cause.
“I had a brief chat with Elyounoussi,” Lennon said. “He explained to me what had happened and that was the end of it.
“He is a top professional. I have no problem with his attitude or the way he behaves around the place. It was never an issue for me.
“You are all analysing everything we are doing at the minute. Elyounoussi on his phone and the body language and this, that and the other.
“I got what I wanted today. Elyounoussi scored a hat-trick after being criticised unreasonably for looking at a result on his phone the other night. I think that’s unfair but he has responded in the right way.
“We asked him at half-time to go and get the hat-trick he didn’t get in Lille and it was a brilliant third goal.”
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson felt that the final result was harsh on his side, who competed with the champions for long spells of the game.
“I don’t think the result reflected the performance,” Robinson said. “The scoreline would suggest we got absolutely battered and I don’t think that was the case at all.
“I thought in large periods of the game we were in control with and without the ball. We had numerous opportunities. Probably the most we’ve ever had against Celtic. But if you do not take them, you get punished by the quality they have.
“They took their chances and we didn’t. At 2-1, we were in control of the game and the second and third goals were individual errors. They didn’t have to work for them.
“If you do that against a team of that calibre, you’ll get punished. And we did.”
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